Tired of cramped shower stalls and outdated bathroom designs? You would not believe a walk-in shower can revolutionize your daily routine. I myself only realized only after visiting a friend's newly renovated home. The openness and ease of access to the walk-in shower in his bathroom left me envious and inspired. Having a newly installed walk-in shower recently, I want to share a few brilliant walk-in shower ideas for you to create a breathtaking shower space.
1.Minimalist Glass Panels
Frameless and semi frameless glass panels are a preferred choice for modern bathroom showers. They are minimalist with no minimal frame helps create a sleek look. Additionally, the absence of bulky frames visually expands the space by allowing natural light to flow freely and enhance the overall brightness. This makes them an ideal choice for small bathrooms.
Pro Tip: We recommend pairing these panels with concealed shower valves and rainfall showerheads for a cohesive and minimalist look.
2.Built-In Shower Niche
If you are a bit concerned about the available space in your walk-in shower, then building a shower niche can save you valuable floor space. This recessed space cleverly combines practicality and style, so you no longer need a shower caddy or any other type of external storage solution for keeping shower essentials. Additionally, it will keep your shower area uncluttered, giving it a clean look.
Pro Tip: You can enhance the visual impact by using contrasting tiles of LED lighting in the niche.
3. Wet Room Conversion
Converting your bathroom into a wet room can bring luxurious vibes. With no barriers like shower tray and door, a full open plan layout is both stylish and accessible. Wet rooms are especially suitable for smaller spaces. If you are hooked on this idea, then consider using slip-resistant textured tiles on the floor for the safety of kids and the elderly.
Pro Tip: Experts recommend wet rooms for future-proofing your home as they are easy to access for individuals with mobility challenges. Moreover, underfloor heating in a wet room is highly recommended to keep the space warm and cozy.
4. Marble Aesthetics
Using marble tiles in the walk-in shower can add timeless luxury. You should choose a real marble stone or high quality marble-effect tiles with natural veining and subtle hues to bring sophistication to the space. The neutral tones of marble, like white, grey, or beige can pair well with the matt black and brushed brass frame of the shower panels. For someone with a limited budget, porcelain tiles can be used to create a similar effect.
Pro Tip: Real marble needs regular upkeep. You will need to check and seal the marble to prevent staining and moisture damage. Alternatively, choose marble effect tiles for hassle-free maintenance.
5. Dual Shower Heads
Walk in showers offer a perfect way to start creating a spa-like ambiance. Your set-up should typically include a rainfall shower head that mimics rainfall for a relaxing effect. Here, you can add more functionality to it by installing a handheld or a few more shower heads along the wall for an even more personalized experience. We recommend choosing the shower set finish wisely to create a cohesive look in the bathroom.
Pro Tip: Shower jets can also be a good option for targeted rinsing and cleaning. You should install the shower head strategically to better water flow. Use water-saving shower sets to reduce utility costs.
6. Corner Shower Designs
Corner showers are an excellent way to make the most of available space in the bathroom. They can especially be suitable for compact UK homes. Utilizing the corner space for the walk-in shower not only saves floor space but also allows for better flow and organization of other bathroom fixtures. Curved or angled glass panels should be preferred to create a modern look. Semi-fameless design with a slimline profile can also be a suitable choice.
Pro Tip: We recommend using bold or statement tiles in the backdrop of the walk-in shower to enhance the aesthetics. These can have geometric patterns, mosaics, or vibrant colours.
7. Industrial-Chic Style
Industrial design is a fine mix of contemporary and rustic styles, making them the most popular design theme in the UK. Black framed or semi-fameless panels are often used to add structure and visual interest to the shower space. The white subway tiles in the backdrop create a bold contrast. You can pair it with metallic lighting to enhance the industrial vibes of the space.
Pro Tip: Designers recommend creating a rustic element with exposed piping and Edison-style light fixtures to enhance the overall design aesthetics and cohesiveness.
8. Built-In Bench
If you are planning a large walk-in shower enclosure, a built-in bench can enhance the space's practicality and aesthetics. It allows for relaxation and caters to individuals with mobility challenges. Adding a heating element to the bench can offer the added advantage of creating a spa-like feel.
Pro Tip: Bench should have water resistant materials like stone (marble, quartz or tiles) for durability and easy maintenance. Consider positioning the bench in a corner to save space and ensure proper water drainage.
9. Nature-Inspired Touches
Nature can calm the senses, and therefore, integrating natural elements into the shower space can create a serene environment. There are hundreds of ways to add a natural touch to your shower space ranging from incorporating indoor plants to using wood beams, wooden towel ladder and skylights to give it a completely natural feel.
Pro Tip: Indoor plants work best when paired with earthly materials like stone tiles, wood accents, or pebble flooring.
10. Artful Accents
Incorporating an artful accent can give your bathroom shower a personal touch. Consider using geometric tiles, mosaic tiles, patterned tiles, or classic subway tiles to create a visually stunning shower wall. You can also enhance the artistic feel of the space with water colour paintings, photographs, or decorative mirrors.
Pro Tip: Potted plants or a vertical garden, along with the last-mentioned artistic elements, can bring a sense of serenity while keeping up with the original art-deco theme.
11. Multi-Functional Shower
A multi functional shower space can offer an ultimate versatility for large bathrooms. The combination of shower and bathtub allows you to enjoy an invigorating showering experience or the relaxing soak of the bathtub, depending on your preference.
Pro Tip: For added safety and better accessibility, consider installing grab bars, non-slip flooring, and low threshold entry.
12. LED Mood Lighting
The strategic use of lighting can turn your shower enclosure into a serene and personalized space. Consider using LED lights around niches or shower ceilings for maximum effect. These can be colour-changing LEDs that can be tailored to your mood or the time of the day.
Pro Tip: For enhancing the aesthetic, bright and focused lights can be used to height the specific object. You can experiment with a variety of options to see which one works best for you.
13. Classic Walk-in Shower
A classic-style walk-in shower is perfect for all types and sizes of bathrooms. You can incorporate a blue and white theme for the interior design. Consider repeating it for the floor tiles and shelving backsplash. The choice of this colour makes the space appear spacious and large without compromising functionality.
Pro Tip: You can use contemporary elements such as wall-hung storage and toilet to give the space a modern yet classic feel.
14. Statement Wall
Creating a statement wall in the walk-in shower can turn it into a striking focal point. To make a shower area stand out, opt for bold or bright-coloured tiles. You may also use intricate pattern tiles to give it a classic feel. Many homeowners also use 3D tiles or natural stone to bring a sense of luxury to the bathroom shower space.
Pro Tip: Interior designers recommend using a metallic or reflective finish on the tiles to further amplify the impact of the wall. Gold, brown, or copper should be the colours of your choice.
15. Be Creative with the Layout
You can unleash your creativity in various ways when installing a walk in shower. The great thing about these open-ended showers is that you can fit them anywhere in the bathroom, provided plumbing becomes available. Sometimes, homeowners may even want to take it to the bedroom.
Pro Tip: In the end, it's all about what you prefer and the requirements of the space. Simply get inspiration for where you want to build the shower space and how you want it to look.
16. Storage with Shelves or Double Vanity
Creating storage in a walk-in shower enhances the space's functionality and aesthetics. A niche shelf can be an excellent way to store shower essentials. Alternatively, you may choose a wall hung double vanity unit. It can be especially suitable for larger shower spaces.
Pro Tip: Use focused light to highlight niche shelves or a vanity unit. This will enhance the look of the bathroom.
17. Tiles on Ceiling
Using matching tiles on the ceiling can bring a new dimension to the overall look and feel of the walk-in shower. You can use of same colour of marble tile on the floor and match it with the wall and ceiling.
Pro Tip: We recommend pairing pale grey tile with silver hardware for subtle texture or slabs of quartz and white hex tiles everywhere for a cohesive feel.
Ending Thoughts
The versatility of a walk-in shower allows for hundreds of ways to create a space that is tailored to your needs. It’s not just a bathroom upgrade but a lifestyle. With walk-in shower ideas discussed in this blog, you’re now equipped to make an informed decision and turn your bathroom shower into a space that reflects your style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Here, we have answered a few frequently asked questions about installing a walk-in shower in the UK.
Q: What are some walk-in shower ideas for elderly users?
A: A walk in shower for the elderly should be focused on making the space more accessible and safer. You can include non-slip flooring, grab bars, a built-in bench for seating, and a handheld shower head for convenience.
Q: What are some walk-in shower ideas for a small bathroom?
A: Walk in shower can be an excellent choice for small bathrooms. Interior designers recommend using frameless or semi-frameless panels to make space look and feel bigger than it is. Additionally, you must opt for brighter colours on walls and tiles that reflect the light, making the bathroom shower bright and airy. Moreover, corner fitting can help maximise the space in a small bathroom.
Q: What is some walk in shower ideas on a budget?
A: There are a variety of ways to save costs on a walk-in shower. Lower the cost by choosing the DIY and avoiding new plumbing. Instead, you can repurpose the existing plumbing. Additionally, opting for basic shower panels and fixtures can also reduce the costs significantly.
Q: What is the cost of installing a walk-in shower in the UK?
A: Walk-in shower costs differ significantly depending on various factors like size, type of glass panels you choose, plumbing needs, and tiling work required. As of 2025, the overall cost may range anywhere between £1000 to £6000.
